Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car. BAD Quality Experience. - 2004 Audi A4
  By ultrasport - January 8 - 10:00 am

  New A4 1.8T Ultraport loaded. have a quality prob out of the shoot.BAD for a $37K MSRP car. W/in 4 hrs of delivery, the power steering failed due to a leak. The dealer repaired but did not replace the hose as promised. I was out the car overnight to get that hose. I did get rental/loaner. W/in 4 hours of pick up after repair. The prob ocurred AGAIN! The car is back at the dealer. Im in a loaner. Fix = replace the ENTIRE strg rack. Replmt parts arrived, 1/2 way into install...parts deemed faulty.I am still w/out that new car, soon a lemon in this state. Buying a new car should not be this way. No Excuse Audi!!!

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  1991 Audi 100 Works for Me - 1991 Audi 100
  By Joe Audi Owner - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Owned 5+ years. Purchased used at 122,000 miles, now 200,000. My 2nd Audi. I do all of my own work on the car. Love the car. Extremely reliable and a pleasure to drive while serving as a workhorse commuter car. Never garaged and sits outside in all 4 seasons. Interior remains tight and dry and still smells faintly new. Body and finish are near perfect - no rust/corrosion anywhere (galvanized body). All seals perfect. Original starter, alternator, radiator, heater core, etc. Only changed oil, brakes, tires, filters, belts, light bulbs. Never leaked any fluids and continues to start every time and run rock smooth and reliably. About 21 MPG city/hwy mix.

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  Big Car Drives Like a Small Car - 2004 Audi A8
  By kapbak - January 8 - 2:00 am

  A8 is so much fun to drive. Traded in my S500, and the A8 has a much sportier ride and handling. Powerful engine. Design is beautifully simple. Interior is exquisite. I love the MMI, navigation is much better than MB. Several nits: Slight hesitation on rapid acceleration, Pass. rear headrests obscure rear right view, phone not really integrated into car system the way it was in my MB(almost like an aftermarket add-on),dynamic memory in radio doesnt find all the major stations, If you leave the wipers turned on when you shut the car off, they do not start again when you startup the car- you have to turn the wipers off and then on again.

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  BREAK SYSTEM SQUEALS!! - 2004 Audi TT
  By unhappy TT owner - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my TT back in September - back then, when the temperature was mild, I had no problem with my breaks. Now that winter has arrived, anytime the temperature is below 40 degreees Fahrenheit, my breaks produce a HIGH pitch squeal, as if someone is running their fingers down a chalkboard!!! The dealership told me that "sometimes things like this happens to cars." WHAT?? A car worth $35,000 should not sound like its in pain. Not even a $15,000 Corolla squeals when its cold outside. If this problem has occurred with anyone else, PLEASE let me know - If I would have known about this in the first place, I would have NEVER wasted my money on this car.

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  BMW nut has been converted! - 2004 Audi A6
  By MTMnet - January 4 - 2:00 am

  The Audi A6 has a beautiful interior and a very nice exterior, even though it is in its last model year. At first it did not seem as fast as my 2000BMW540, but then I looked in the rear view mirror and realized that it is ever bit as fast, however the All Wheel Drive tends to fool you a bit. With the front wheels pulling while the rear wheels are pushing you dont get quite the sensation of acceleration that you tend to get in a rear wheel drive. Very smooth, very fast and great traction in bad weather.

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  My second Audi 90 - 1995 Audi 90
  By WolfH - January 2 - 2:00 am

  Had a 1991 90S for over 4 years, over 325,000Km (202K Mi)and my daughter is still driving it. This 1995 90S is way better, the V6 idles smoothly, and has ample power for a car this size. The interior is immaculate, everythings is still working, and after 4 Audis, this is the best one. Hopefully Ill be able to buy an S4 in the future.

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  I like it even more after owning it. - 2001 Audi A4
  By PossumCowboy - January 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive extensively upgraded with performance parts since buying new in May of 2001. The car is incredibly fun to drive with plenty of power, while still remaining very fuel- efficient over long distances. Had the coil- pack replaced when recalled, had the cupholder replaced when the trim broke. Replaced one headlight bulb. Everything else is perfect!

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  The most fun car Ive ever owned - 2004 Audi TT
  By rgctr6 - December 31 - 2:00 am

  We own 3 convertibles and this is by far the most fun. The body style is unique, looks like a more traditional roadster.

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  Great Buy - 2007 Audi A4
  By Paul - December 30 - 2:20 pm

  I found my stylish, sporty and comfortable A4 is a lot of car for the money.

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  So far so Good - 2002 Audi A4
  By Liking It - December 30 - 2:00 am

  My A4 is a 2003 Model, Denim Blue. In this color, the car is truly one of a kind. I have yet to see another one on the crowded Long Island streets. And at $26,000 no other car came close in features (leather, 17" wheels, 6-CD in dash, auto climate etc), style, and handling. 30 more horses would be nice, but the 5-speed helps overcome this. Im only 2000 miles in, so hopefully the reliability is as good as my 99 Passat, which was trouble free for 60,000 miles.